For Immediate Release: February 1, 2019

Game 42 (Home Game 21)

Vs. Rapid City Rush (17-23-4-3, 41 pts)

Friday, February 1, 2019 – 7:35pm ET

U.S. Bank Arena –Cincinnati, OH

Overview: The Cyclones return home to begin a two-game weekend on Friday against the Rapid City Rush. Cincinnati is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Toledo Walleye last Friday night, in their first contest following the All-Star Break, and currently sit two points ahead of the Walleye for first place in the ECHL’s Central Division. 

Last Friday Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (27-8-3-3) fell to the Toledo Walleye, 3-2, on Friday night. Forward Brady Vail and defenseman Anthony Florentino netted the goals for Cincinnati. The Walleye outshot the Cyclones, 31-26 on the evening, with goaltender Michael Houser stopping 28 in the loss.

Sunday, 1/20 Recap: The Cincinnati Cyclones (27-7-3-3) defeated the Indy Fuel, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon. Forwards Spencer Dorowicz, Pascal Aquin, and Mike Marnell, along with defenseman Tobie Bisson netted the goals for Cincinnati, who enter the All-Star Break in second place in the ECHL. Cincinnati outshot the Fuel, 30-28, with goaltender Jonas Johansson steering aside 26 in the win.

Saturday, 1/19 Recap:The Cincinnati Cyclones (26-7-3-3) collected a 4-3 shootout win over the Indy Fuel on Saturday night. Forwards Alex Wideman, Justin Vaive, and Spencer Dorowicz tallied the goals for Cincinnati, while Mike Marnell netted the lone marker in the shootout. Cincinnati outshot Indy, 35-33 on the evening, with goaltender Michael Houser steering aside 30 in the win.

Previewing Rapid City: Despite being six games under .500, Rapid City finds themselves a mere four points out of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Mountain Division. The Rush have garnered points in four of their last five games (1-1-1-2), and are coming off of a 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Mavericks on Tuesday night. Entering Friday night, the Rush lead the ECHL with 15 overtime or shootout games, winning three-of-seven in overtime, and a League-leading five-of-eight in a shootout. Offensively, Rapid City is averaging a League-low 2.36 goals scored per game while allowing 3.43 goals per 60 minutes. They are led by Pierre-Luc Mercier who has accounted for a team-leading 10 goals and 20 assists through 43 games this season. He is followed by forwards Shaquille Merasty (9g, 12a) and Cedric Montminy (9g, 9a) who round out the top three. In goal, Adam Carlson has shouldered the bulk of the load, posting a 12-12-2-2 record, along with a 3.06 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. 

Inside the Series: This will be the one and only meeting between the two sides this season, and the Rush have won the only other meeting between the two back in the 2016-17 season.

Next Game Preview: The Cyclones wrap up a two-game season series with the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday night. Cincinnati beat the Oilers, 4-1, back on December 12, and the ‘Clones are 3-1-0-0 all-time against Tulsa. 

Packed Schedule: The Cyclones are embarking on a stretch of 29 games in 59 days beginning Friday evening against the Rapid City Rush. Cincinnati will play three games in three days on four separate occasions during that time, a pair of four-game-in-five-days stretches, two stretches of seven-games in 10 days, and one of 10 games in 17 days. 

Streaky Behavior:Forward Mike Marnell is currently on a four-game point streak, totaling a pair of goals and five assists in that span. He has points in seven of his last nine games overall (5g, 5a) and is tied for seventh on the team in scoring with 25 points (11g, 14a). 

On the Plus Side: Cincinnati currently boasts three of the top five and six of the top 18 on-ice ratings in the ECHL entering Friday night. Forward Myles Powell is third in the League and leads the Cyclones with a plus-31 on-ice rating, while forward Alex Wideman and defenseman Arvin Atwal are tied with a plus-30 mark. Defenseman DeVante Stephens and forward Jesse Schultz are rank 12 and 13 with plus-22 ratings, while defenseman Eric Knodel comes in at 18 with a plus-19 mark. 

He’s a Brick….HOUSE!: Goaltender Michael Houser is  8-1-1-1 in his last 11 games, allowing two or fewer goals in eight of them. He was named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December after a perfect 6-0-0-0 record along with a 1.17 goals against average and a .950 save percentage during the month. Overall, Houser has a record of 14-3-2-1 and leads the ECHL with a 1.90 GAA and a .933 SV%, and he has allowed more than two goals just six times this season. 

Fanning the Flames: Forward Jesse Schultz has points in 19 of his last 25 games, accounting for 11 goals and 20 assists in that time. He is now tied for sixth in ECHL scoring with 44 points (12g, 32a).

Piling up the Points: The Cyclones have points in 19 of the last 22 games (15-3-0-4) and wins in 20 of their last 28 games (20-5-0-3). 

Defensively Offensive: The Cyclones defensive corps have been contributing to the Cyclones offensive success as of late, accounting for 14 goals and 22 assists in the last 22 games. Eric Knodel has four goals and eight assists in that time, and is currently tied for sixth in ECHL defenseman scoring with eight goals and 18 assists. Additionally, Arvin Atwal has three goals and nine assists, while Tobie Bisson has two goals and nine assists. Additionally, DeVante Stephens (3g, 1a), Anthony Florentino (1g, 2a), Andrew DeBrincat (1g, 1a), and Mitch Jones (1a) have also found the score sheet.  

Good in All Areas: The Cyclones are second in the ECHL in both team defense (2.46 GA/GM) and offensive production (3.76G/GM). The Cyclones are outscoring teams, 154-101, and have allowed two or fewer goals in 15 of the last 25 games. Starting and finishing games have been a specialty for Cincinnati, as they are outscoring teams 57-32 in the first period, and have allowed a League-low 22 goals in the third period. Cincinnati is outscoring the opposition, 50-22, in the final 20 minutes of play, and are 20-1-0-2. when leading through two periods. They have given up more than three goals in regulation just six times this season.

Welcome Matt Thomas: The Cyclones enter the 2018-19 season with a new head coach. In early August, Cincinnati hired Matt Thomas as the team’s new bench boss. He replaced Matt Macdonald who was named assistant coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins; American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.  A native of Maple Ridge, BC, Thomas has extensive head coaching experience in the ECHL, spanning 11 seasons with the Atlantic Boardwalk Bullies, Fresno Falcons, and Stockton Thunder from 2002-2013. Thomas served two seasons as an assistant coach with Atlantic City, including helping the Boardwalk Bullies to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2003, before assuming the role of head coach and Director of Hockey Operations with the team prior to 2004-2005. He compiled a 42-22-8 mark in his lone season as Atlantic City’s bench boss, and served as the head coach for the 2005 ECHL All-Star Game. He then moved on to Fresno prior to the 2005-06 campaign, leading the Falcons to a 43-15-14 mark along with a trip to the Western Conference Finals. Over the next two seasons in Fresno, Thomas compiled a 76-41-17 record, with trips to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs on both occasions. He coached the Falcons during the first half of 2008-09, leading the team to an 18-10-2 mark before the team ceased operations midseason. Thomas was not out of work for long however, as he was named head coach of Stockton shortly after, and finished the year with a record of 22-16-3, and a trip to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Thomas went on to coach the Thunder for four more seasons, amassing a mark of 141-111-36, reaching the post season each year, including a trip to the 2013 Kelly Cup Finals. He enters the 2018-19 campaign as the ECHL’s sixth-winningest coach with a career record of 342-225-80, just one win back of fifth place all time. He is also the all-time leader in playoff games coached with 97, and ranks third with 49 playoff wins. 

The 2018-19 season is HERE, and the Cincinnati Cyclones want YOU along for the ride! Single game, Group, and Season Tickets are on sale NOW by calling (513) 421-PUCK! Stay on top of all the latest team updates and information on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!